Apparatus for positioning the printing plates on the plate holders of photographic-pring machines



1,452,078 ON THE PLATE HOLDERS OF ACHINES Apr. 17, 1923..

HUEBNER HE PRINTING PLATES 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 W. C. APPARATUS FORPOSITIONING T PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING M Filed Oct. 16,. 1920 I gyms-Mr? c.HUEBNE W. APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING THE PRINTING PLATES ON THE PLATEHOLDERS OF PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINES Filed Oct. 16, 1920 3Sheets-Sheet 2 /N m'A raR. v \i/f Z 63M, 5 W

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Ap r. 17; 1923.

HUEBNER Y PRINTING PLATES ON THE PLATE HOLDERS OF PHOTO'GRAPHIC PRINTINGMACHINES 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I Filed Oct.

fififivilliiiiiwlifhmw APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING THE Y z, /@e./M

Patented Apr. 17, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

WILLIAI G. HUEBNEB, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO HUEBNERFBLEISTEINPATENTS COMPANY, OF BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

APPARATUS FOR POSITIONING THE PRINTING PLATES ON THE PLATE HOLDERS OFPHOTOGBAPHIC-PRINTING MACHINES.

Application filed October '16, 1920. Serial No. 417,385.

To all whom it may concern Be it known I, WILLIAM 'C. HUEBNER, a citizenof the United States, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie andState of 5 New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement inApparatus for Positioning the Printing Plates on the Plate Holders ofPhotographic-Printing Machines, of which the following is aspecification.

I 'This invention relates to apparatus for accurately positioning theprinting plates on the plate holders of photographic printing machinesand is particularly adapted for enabling the accurate positioning of theimages on the negatives or transparent printing plates or analogousmembers used in photographic printing or composing apparatus of the kindwhich are intended for photographing like or different original printsin any required predetermined and registered positions and relativearrangements upon the sensitized surfaces of the same or differentplates that are afterwards suitably finished and used in mechanicalprinting premes for printing in one or more colors or for otherphotographic. reproduction work.

In some classes ofcolor printing, register marks are provided on theseveral plates, whereby all of the colors can be caused to registerproperly one with the other. For photo composing purposes these registermarks preferably consist of vertical marks at the top and bottom of thesubject and horizontal marks at the right and left sides of the subject,the vertical and horizontal marks being located respectively in verticaland horizontal lines intersecting at the center of tlie subject. Whenseveral negatives, each representing a separate color of the'subject tobe reproduced, are to be used for making photo composed press plates, it

' is necesary that the image on each negative be placed in exactlythesame position in the machine so that the register marks and the workwill occupy exactly the same position in register with each other on theseveral plates whereby when all of the plates are printed the differentcolors will register exactl Odie of the objects of this invention is toprovide means whereby a negative withreg- .ister-marks can be readilyplaced with the image thereon accurately in a required predeterminedposition upon the plate holder used in the photo-composing apparatus, orwhereby two or more negatives with register marks can be readily placedwith their 1mages in exactly like positions upon the same or differentplate holders.

Some classes of work have no register marks, or carry register markswhich are not placed to conform with the vertical and horizontal centerlines of a subject and therefore are not desirable for photo composingpurposes. It also happens at times that some color plates carry only tworegister marks'which make it very difficult to register exactly thevarious negatives in the photo composing apparatus.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide means whereby negativeshaving misplaced or unsuitable register marks, and

negatives that have no register marks at all,-

can be placed in a predetermined position upon the negative holders usedin photo composing machines, whereby a set of negatives can beregistered one with the other vlsually by placing the images 'of thevarious negatives in register with a master device such as an imagecontained on one plate, or a suitable sheet or film.

Another purpose of the invention is that when a negative with an ima eis so registered, register marks suitable or photo composing purposescan be placed quickly, easily and accurately in the required position onall of the negatives comprising a-set,

so that if the set of negatives are required for future repeat orders,each negative can be quickly placedin the required position on thenegative holder by means of the register marks.

The device embodying this invention can be attached directly to or forma part of a photo composing machine, or can be placed near' the machineas a separate unit, in

which latter case the positioning means for the negative holder mustcorrespond exactly as regards its relation to the negative holder, tothe holder positioning means which are a part of the negative holder suport of the photo composing machine. Whet er the positioning meansconstitute a part of a photo composing machine or is an individual unitcoordinated with the machine is entirely optional, because the mode 0toperation and the results obtained will be identical in either caseexcept that when the printing means are detached from the photocomposing machine, negatives can be placed and registered on additionalnegative holders, while the photo composing machine is in operation.Thus delays are avoided and the photo composing machine can be kept inconstant operation, increasing its output over a machine on which thenegative positioning means form a part of the photo composing machine.

of the lock for the registerin In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying the invention forpositioning the printing plates on the holders therefor, and showing theswinging holder for the master image extending forwardly from theprinting plate holder and the register device in operative position infront of the printingplate holder.

1g. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectionalelevation thereof on line 2-2,Fig. 6.

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view thereof on line 3-3, Fig. 2, but showinga different position of the master image holder.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the apparatus showing the two swingingregistering devices extending laterally from opposite sides of theprinting plate holder.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional elevation of the ad'ustable stop for themaster image.

ig. 6 is a plan view, partly in section,

of the apparatus on line 6-6, Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a detail section of one of the securing devices for the masterim-age sheet or late.

ig. 8 is an enlarged sectional plan view device.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary en arged elevation showing one of theregistering elements, and Fig. 10 is a sectional plan view of the sameshowing the device in contact with the printing plate. I

Figs. 11 and 12 are respectively an enl-arged front elevation andsection showing tlllle adjusting means for the registering s eet.

A represents a photographic negative or transparent printing plateadapted to make a photographic print, and B is the holder on which theprinting plate is adjustably secured and which is adapted to be mountedin a photographic printing apparatus for making the prints from theplate A. The

plate holder B is supported, preferably in substantially uprightpositionon a stand or support C so that the printing plate faces forwardlypreferably in a sli htly inclined position, such that the image t ereoncan be readily seen. The stand or-support 0 may be of any suitableconstruction but it is preferably provided with a stationary supportingframe a on which the plate holder B 'is mounted, and with a forwardlyprojecting base portion or step D on which the operative can stand whenmanipulating the apparatus and securing and adjusting the printing plateand other parts thereon.

The printing plate holder B is preferably substantially like the holdersshown in my copending application filed February 27, 1919, No. 279,493for mounting the printing plate in the photographic printing apparatus.This holder, as shown, consists of a substantially rectangular, metalplate provided with a central opening covered by a stationary glassplate 11, on the face of which the transparent printing plate A isadjustably secured by suitable holdingdevices 12. Each of these holdingdevices h-as a jaw or part actuated by a screw or other suitable meansfor moving the jaw into holding engagement with the bevelled edge of theprinting plate. Three of the holding devices are shown at each of theupper and lower edges of the printing plate and one at each of theopposite edges thereof. By appropriate adjustments of the holdingdevices the printing plate is permitted a limited adjustment on theholder B and can be stationarily secured thereon, thus permitting theplate to be properly lined up and centered and registered with referenceto a' registering device as hereinafter explained. Preferably thecentral, upper and lower holding devices 12 and the holding devices atthe opposite ends of the plate are provided with index m-arks 13'adaptedto register with cross lines or register marks on the printing plate tofacilitate the centering and squaring of the printing plate on theholder.

The plate holder B with the printing plate secured thereon is adapted tobe removably secured on the front face of the supporting frame 0 in apredetermined position corresponding to the position in which the holderis mounted on its supporting frame in the printing apparatus when makingprints. For this purpose. in the construction shown, the supportingframe 0 is provided with two projecting blocks 14 on which the loweredge of the printing plate holder is adapted to rest and with anabutment 15 against which one end of the holder is adapted to abut. Theprinting plate holder is placed against the front face of the frame Cwith its bottom edge resting on the blocks 14 and is then shoved overagainst the abutment 15 by a movable securing device 16 actuated by ascrew 17 or other suitable means for forcing the plate holder edgewisefirmly against the abutment 15. A similar securing device 18 is alsopreferably provided at the upper edge of the holder for forcing andholding it down firmly on the bottom supporting blocks 14. Thesesecuring means for the plate holder enable the holder-to he repeatedlysecured exactly in the same position on the stand C, and different plateholders, which are alike, to be secured in in practice to enable theprinting plate to be readily and accurately secured on the plate holderand the plate holder to be readily and accurately secured in theapparatus, but any other suitable construction of the plate holder andmeans for securing it on its support and affording the above resultscould be employed.

E represents a registering member, prererably consisting of atransparent sheet, film or the like, hearing a master image or copy a ofa subject and which is mounted on a movtil) able frame 19 whereby themember can be placed in a position face to face with the printing plate,and preferably in contact with the front face of the printing plate forthe purpose of registering the image on the printing plate with theimage on the registering sheet E. The registering sheet E can be mountedon its supporting frame 19 in any suitable way adapted to permit thesheet to be readily secured in place, adjusted and removed, and theframe 19 for the same is preferably suitably hinged on the stand frame 0so as to permit the frame 19 to be swung to andfrom the operativeposition in front of the printing plate. In the construction shown theregistering sheet has secured to its upper and lower edges parallelfastening strips 20, adapted to be removably seated in recesses 21,Figs. 4 and 7 in upper and lower horizontal supporting bars 22, whichare adjustably secured at their ends to two upright bars 23, which inturn are adjustably secured at their upper and lower ends on theswinging frame 19. The fastening strips 20 are adapted to be inserted,while in an inclined position into the recesses 21 in the supportingbars 22 and retained therein by the engagement of the lower bevellededges of the fastening strips in correspondingly shaped grooves in thesupporting bars. Then, by adjusting the supporting bars 22 and uprightbars 23, the registering sheet can be stret hed taut and squared on thesupport ing frame 19. The bars 22 and 23 can be adjustably secured so asto enable register ing sheets E of different sizes to be mounted andproperly: adjusted on the swinging frame. preferably by thumb screws 24on the bars 22 movable in vertical slots 25 in the bars 23. and screws26 for. these bars movable in-horizontal slots 27 in the. upper andlower portions of the swinging frame. The upper holding bar 22 is alsopreferably connected to a screw 28 engaged by a nut 28 retained on theupper end of the frame 19, so that when the screws 21 are loosened thebar will be supported by the screw 28 and can be adjusted by turning thenut 28. The lower bar 22 is also preferably provided with a similaradjusting screw and nut. On each bar 22 is a screw adjusting device, seeFigs. 11 and 12, having a circular disk pro jecting into one of severalnotches 29 in the adjacent attaching bar 20 and adapted to he turned foradjusting the latter endwise on the holding bar to center or line up theregistering sheet E.

The swinging frame 19 is preferably hinged on the stand frame 0 in thefollowing manner:

The frame 19 is provided at its upper and lower ends with hinge loops 30through which passes a hinge rod 31 which also passes through hingeloops 32 on the front end of two rods 33 which are movable forwardly andrearwardly in guide holes 34 in the stand frame 0. At their rear endsthe rods 33 are provided with loops 35 in which work eccentrics 36 on anupright shaft 37, which. is journalled in suitable bearings 38 on thestand frame 0. When this shaft is rotated, the eccentrics working in theloops 35 will move the hinge rod 31 and consequently the hinged ends ofthe swinging frame 19 inwardly or outwardly toward or from the plane ofthe printing plate A on the stand or support. For turning the eccentricshaft 37 it is proyided at its lower enc with a worm wheel 39 meshingwith a worm 40 on a short, horizontal shaft which is suitably journalledon the stand frame 0 near the lower end thereof and is provided at itsouter end with a crank or handle for turning with an adjustable stop 42,Figs. 5 and 6, adapted to engage the stand frame 0. This stop, as shown,consists of a screw working in a threaded hole in the free end of theswinging frame 19 with its inner end ar ranged to bear against the frontface of the stand frame 0. By appropriately adjusting the eccentricshaft 37 and the stop screw 42. the hinged frame 19 can be adjustedinwardly or outwardly, as may be necessary. to insure that theregistering sheet E will bear throughout flat against and parallel withthe front face of the printing plate, notwithstanding variations in thethicknem or the adjustment of different printing plates.

When the transparent registering sheet E Y the image thereon willregister accurately with the image on the registering sheet. The imageon the printing plate can be seen through the transparent registeringsheet, thus permitting a ready, visual registration of the two images.Other suitable means for mounting the swinging frame 19 and adjusting itrelatively to the printing plate could be employed.

F represents acentering or registering and scribing device which ispreferably hinged to the stand or support C at the side thereof oppositeto that at which the swinging image registering frame 19 is located sothat said device can be swung around to a position in front of theprinting plate, as indicated in Fig. 6, when the frame 19 is out of theway. This registering and scribing device prefer ably comprises an opensupporting frame 50 which is hinged in any suitable manner at 51 to thestand frame 0 and is provided with horizontal and vertical guide bars 52and 53 on which carriages-or slides 54 are arranged to move horizontallyand vertically across the face of the printing plate when the frame 50is secured in its operative position in front of the printing plate. Oneach carriage is mounted a registering element preferably consisting ofa small glass 55 provided with fine cross lines. This glass is securedin a ring or mounting on a leg 56 which is slidably mounted on thecarriage 54 and is adapted to be moved toward and from the printingplate, as by a pinion 57, mesh ing with a toothed rack on the leg 56 toplace the register glass into and out of contact with the face of theprinting plate. Each of the carriages 54 is adapted to be moved alongits guide rod parallel with the face of the printing plates as by apinion 58 meshing with a toothed rack 59 on the guide bar. 59, Figs. 9and 10 represents a scribing .or marking blade or point which is mountedon each of the registering elements for the purpose of making registermarks on the printing plate. The registering elements are so locatedthat when their carriages are moved on the guide rods the intersectionsof the marks on the registering glasses and thescribing points willfollow perpendicular diametrical lines intersecting at the center of.the printing plate holder. The registering and scribing device can bestationarily secured in place in front of the printin plate by anysuitable means, such as a ho t 60, Figs. 6 and 8, adapted to enter akeeper 61 on the frame 50.

By means of this registering device the printing plate can be adjustedon its holder B until the register marks on the plate register with themarks on the registering elements of the registering device, thusenabling the printing plate to be accurately lined up and centered orplaced in the required, predetermined position on the holder.

And after a printing plate which has no reg- I to the describedconstruction of the register-- tering and scribing device, the holderfor the printing plate, its securing means and the holder for the masterimage. These various devices are constructed much like analogous devicesdisclosed in some of my copending applications and patents, and thedescribed constructions or other suitable constructions can be employed.The combination or coordination of the several devices set forth in theappended claims whereby the described useful functions are madepossible, is, however, believed to be novel.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of aholder for a transparent printing plate, means for supporting saidholder in a predetermined position, a registering device bearing amaster image, a holder for said registering device arranged to supportsaid device face to face with said printing plate whereby the relativepositions of the images on the registering device and printing plate canbe observed visually, and means for adjusting the printing plate on itsholder whereby the images on the printing plate and registering devicecan be placed in register.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of aholder for a transparent printing plate, means for supporting saidholder in a predetermined position, a transparent registering devicebearing a master image, a holder'for said registering device arranged tosupport said device in front of and close to said printing platewherebythe relative positions of the images on the registering deviceand printing plate can be seen through said registeringdevice, and meansfor adjusting the printing plate on its holder whereby the images on theprinting plate andregistering device can be placed in register.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of aholder for a transparent printing plate, means for supporting saidholder in a predetermined position, a registering device bearing amaster image, a holdeg for said registering device movably mounted tocarry said registering device to and from a position face to face withsaid printingplate whereby the relallt) tive positions of the images onthe registering device and printing plate canbe observed visually, andmeans for adjusting the printing plate on its holder whereby the imageson the printing plate and registering device can be placed in register.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of aholder for a transparent printing plate, means for supporting saidholder in a predetermlned position, a registering device bearing amaster image, a holder for said registering device arranged to supportsaid device face to face with said printing plate whereby the relativepositions of the images on the registering device and printing plate canbe observed visually, means for adjusting said registering device holderto cause said device to bear flat against the face of the printingplate, and means for adjusting the printing plate on its holder wherebythe images on the printing plate and registering device can be placed inregister.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of aholder for a transparent printing plate, means for supporting saidholder in a predetermined position, a registering device bearing amaster image, a holder for said registering device hinged to swingrelatively to said plate holder for carrying said register device to andfrom a position face to face with said printing plate, whereby therelative positions of the images on the register device and printinglate can be observed visually, an adjusta le hinge and stop for saidhinged holder whereby the registering device is caused to bear fiatagainst the face of the printing plate, and means for adjusting theprinting ,plate on its holder whereby the images on the printing plateand registering device can be placed in register.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of aholder for a transparent printing plate, means for supporting saidholder in a predetermined position, two dissimilar registering devices,holders for said registering devices movably mounted to place one or theother of said registering devices in a position face to face with saidprinting plate, and means for adjusting the printing plate on its holderfor registering the printing plate with the facin registering device.

7. 11 an apparatus of the character described, the combination of aholder for a transparent printing plate, means for supporting saidholder in a predetermined position, twodissimilar registering devices,hinged holders for said registering devices arranged to swing relativelyto said printing plate holder for placing one or the other of saidregistering devices in a position face to face with said printing plate,and means for adjusting the printing plate on its holder for registeringthe printing plate with scribed the combination of a holder for atransparent printing plate, means for supporting said holder in apredetermined position, a registering device bearing a master.

image, a holder for said registering device arranged to support saiddevice face to face wlth said printing plate whereby the relativepositions of the images on the registering device and printing plate canbe observed visually, means for adjusting the printing plate on itsholder whereby the images on the printing plate and registerlng devicecan be placed in register, and a scribing device mounted in definiterelation to said printing plate holder and adapted to make registermarks on said printing plate.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, the oombination of aholder for a transparent printing plate, means for supporting saidholder in a predetermined position, a registering device bearing amaster image, a holder for said registering device arranged to supportsaid device face to face with said printing plate whereby the relativepositions of the images on the registering device and printing plate canbe observed visually, means for adjusting the printing plate on itsholder whereby the images on the printing plate and registering devicecan be placed in register, a scribing device, and a holder for saidscribing device movable to support the scribing device opposite theprinting plate, said scribing device being movable on said holder overthe face of the printing plate in a predetermined relation to theprinting plate holder. i,

11. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of aholder for a transparent printing plate, means for supporting saidholder in a predetermined position, a master image supported in definiterelation to said printing plate holder, means for registering .the imageon the printing plate with said master image, and means mounted indefinite relation to said printing plate holder for making index markson the registered printing plate.

, 12. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of aholder for a transparent printing plate, means for supporting saidholder in a predetermined position, means for registering the image onthe printing plate with a master image supported in definite relation tosaid printing plate holder, and a registering device mounted formovement in definite relation to said printing plate holder forregistration with register marks on. said printing plate. 1

13. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of aholder for a transparent printing plate, means for supporting saidholder in a predetermined position, means for registering the image onthe printing plate with a device supported in definite'relation to saidprinting plate holder,

- means mounted in definite relation to said age, a holder for saidregistering sheet arits holder whereby the images on the print-' served"visuall printing plate holder for making index marks on the registeredprinting plate, and aregistering device mounted for movement in definiterelation to said printing plate holder for registration with the indexmarks on said printing plate.

14. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of aholder for a transparent printing plate; means, for supporting saidholder in a predetermined position, a registering sheet bearing a masterimranged to support said sheet face to face with said printing platewhereby the relative positions of the images on the registering deviceand printing plate can be observed visually, and means for adjusting theprinting plate on ing plate and registering sheet can be placed inregister, said registering sheet holder being adjustable to suitregistering sheets of different sizes. a

15. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of aholder for a transparent printing plate, means for supporting saidholder in a predetermined position, a registering sheet bearing a masterimage, a holder-for said registering sheet arranged to support saidsheet face to face with said printing plate whereby the relativpositions of the images on the registering plate and printing plate canbe oband means for adjusting the printing p ate on its holder wherebythe images on the printing plate and re istering plate can be teringsheet holder comprising adjustable supporting bars, and attaching barssecured to the registeringsheet and constructed to detachably engagewith said supporting ars.

16. In an apparatus of the character description, the combination of aholder for a transparent printing plate, means for sup porting saidholder in a predetermined position, a registeringtdevice bearing amaster placed in register, said regis-,

image, a holder for said registering device movably mounted to carrysaid registering device to and from a position face to face with saidprinting plate whereby the relative positions of the images on theregistering device and printing plate can be observed visually, means:for adjusting said registering device to a predetermined position onits holder, and means for adjusting the printing plate on its holderwhereby the images on th printing plate and registering device can beplaced in register.

17. In an apparatus of the character described; the combination of aholder for a transparent printing plate, means for supporting saidholder in a predetermined position, a registering sheet bearing a masterimage, a holder for said registering sheet arranged to support saidsheet .face to face with said printing plate whereby the rela-' tivepositions of the images on the registering plate and printing plate canbe observed visually, and means for adjusting the printing plate on itsholder whereby the images on the printing plate and registering platecan be laced in register, said registering sheet ho der comprisingadjustable support ing bars, attaching bars secured to the regis tei'ingsheet and constructed to detacha ly engage with said supporting bars,and means for adjusting said attaching bars endwise on said supportingbars.

In an apparatus of the character described, the combination ofa'holderfor a transparent printing plate, means for supporting said holder in apredetermined posibearing a master ually, and means for adjusting theprinting 7 plate on its holder operable when the registering deviceholder is in position in front of said printing plate, whereby theimages on the printing plate and registering device can be placed inregister.

19. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination'of aholder for a transparent printing plate, porting said holder in apredetermined position, a registering device bearing a master image, aholder for said registering device arranged to support said device .faceto face withsaid printing plate, whereby the rela; tive positions of theimages on the registerprinting plate and registering device to cause thesame to occupy parallel positions,

and means for adjusting the printing plate.

means for suping device and printing plate can be observed vlsually,means for relatively adjusting said 20. In an apparatus of the characterdescribed, th combination of a holder for a transparent rintingplate,means for supporting said iiolder in a predetermined position, aregistering device bearinga master image, a holder for said registeringdevice arranged to support said device faceto face with said printingplate, whereby the relathe positions of the images on the registeringdevice and printing plate can beobserved visually, means for adjustingsaid images on the printing plate and registering device can be placedin register.

Witness my hand this 8th day of October, 20

WILLIAM C. HUEBNER.

